Written By The UK National Space Technology Steering Group.

National Space Technology Strategy

April 2014

Aerospace & Defence

KnowledgeTransferNetwork

Space

Special InterestGroup

“We have a tremendous opportunity in front of us. We remain committed to the goal of raising our share of the expected £400 billion global space-enabled market to 10% by 2030. We have added an interim goal of growing the UK space industry to £19 billion turnover by 2020.”

Andy Green, Space Growth Action Plan, 2014.

This document has been prepared by the UK National Space Technology Steering Group as part of to the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (IGS) 2014-2030 Space Growth Action plan, to articulate a national space technology strategy that forms a crucial element of the IGS delivery plan.

As future terrestrial technologies become increasingly unable to meet the needs of growing international markets, there will be an increasing need for ‘Smart Space’ that is connected, capable, adaptable, accessible and affordable. To achieve this vision a coherent set of key aims have been identified:

• Smart and Connected;• Lower Cost and Timeliness;• Sustainable;• Secure, Safe and Resilient;• Forward Looking

This document sets out the vision, aims, technology themes and specific technologies that will meet the needs of the IGS identified markets with the highest growth potential, as illustrated below:

The realisation of the vision will involve, in the short term, the delivery of products and services based on existing technologies, and in the medium to long term, the progressive introduction of smart, potentially disruptive space technologies and services.

The successful implementation of this strategy requires a continued and deepening partnership between government, academia and industry, enhancing uptake of STEM subjects in education, and embracing innovative working practices.

Executive Summary

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Patrick Wood, AirbusBen Olivier, SEA LtdOn behalf of the National Space Technology Steering GroupSupported by the Space Special Interest Group

1 Vision & Aims 4

2 Introduction 7

3 Background 8

4 Examples of current UK Strengths 11

5 Technology Themes 12

6 Linking to the Existing Five Space Technology Domains 13

7 Delivery 17

8 Appendices - Space National Technical Committee Updates 18

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Contents

Space is a maturing and growing market sector and it is important that the UK influence, prepare for and embrace, the changes that lie ahead. It is vital that the UK positions itself to contribute to and benefit from future ‘game changing’ technologies, in so far that they can be predicted. To this end this report is intended to guide both the Space IGS, and the implementation of the Space Technology Roadmaps.

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Vision & Aims

Figure 1 Space Action Growth Plan – Markets (Priority Markets identified in Red)

The Space Growth Action Plan detailed growth market opportunities and 15 priority markets where the UK has the greatest opportunity to enter the space market and stimulate growth (Figure 1). Each market is predicted to be worth at least £1 billion annually to UK-based suppliers within 20 years.

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Smart Space – A Vision

As society moves from National to Global, it will no longer be acceptable to maintain the patchwork infrastructure of today. The intrusive and expensive nature of surface-based solutions will become antiquated within half a generation, giving way to capable, adaptable, accessible and affordable Space-based systems. Going way beyond the excitement of today’s e-connectivity, with social and economic benefits beyond imagination, the era of Smart Space is rapidly upon us. Stories of large swathes of the planet remaining ‘unserved’ will be relegated to the history books or to folk lore used by parents to amaze their children.

Imagine a world with no ‘not spots’ ...imagine a world enabled by Smart Space.

Looking out beyond our planet, it will be possible to to reach, explore and understand our universe with all the

future potential that this opens up. Inspiring future generations to expand knowledge and help make the most of the resources that lie just beyond our fingertips today is an essential goal.

Imagine reaching into the universe with ease ...imagine a universe opened by Smart Space.

Access to these markets will come through the systematic removal of barriers as well as through technology innovation. The UK Space Technology Strategy provides a translation of the priority market needs into a set of technology-enabled themes which will provide the foundation for delivering the Space Action Growth Plan. The aims listed in the following table address the market opportunities that encompass “Smart Space – A Vision”. Figure 2 following the table illustrates the current and existing barriers to be overcome in achieving these aims.

Table 1: Aims within the Vision continued...

Smart & Connected

Why Broadband, Navigation, Surveillance, Climate Monitoring. Satellites need to be able to provide assured coverage and availability and to be able to work with small devices on-ground build on and enhance terrestrial technologies. Connectivity will unleash increased performance and versatility.

What • Autonomous,reconfigurable,adaptableandintelligenton-orbitplatforms• Inter-satellitecommunication,connectedconstellationsofsatellites,connectingavarietyofon

orbit sensors and payloads, employing common interfaces and communication protocols• Smallandlowcostgroundassets• Joinedupapproachofoptimisationbetweenspaceandgroundelements

Lower Cost & Timeliness

Why Increased competitiveness of space solutions vs their terrestrial equivalents.

What • Deliveryreplenishment&servicingsystems(launch&inorbitaccess)• Changingthemodelfromuseandlosetolaunch,recover,re-launch• Bothon-orbitandgroundassets• moderniseandsimplifytheinstitutionalmodeltoreducecost&time

Sustainable

Why Competitiveness - avoiding increasing cost. Over the next twenty years we will see the gradual transition to a new model where some or all space assets are designed to be serviced, reusable or have constituent materials that are recoverable. If the model is not sustainable, then increasing governance will drive costs up.

What • Replenishment,repair,servicinganddisposal• Debrisremoval• Green&Sustainabletechnologies

Figure 2: Aims and Barriers to be Overcome

Secure, Safe & Resilient

Why Markets will demand increasing security, resistance to cyber-attack, the more dependent the services become on space infrastructure. This is seen in how today’s terrestrial technology trends and associated user requirements have evolved.

What • Surveillance• DataSecurity&resilience• Encryption• SpaceWeather

Forward Looking

Why The requirement to proactively look for the next game changing and/or disruptive technology must be serviced in any long term technology strategy. Technology advances at a frightening rate in most sectors and therefore a key part of the national strategy must be to ensure that the technology horizon is actively and constantly scanned.

What • Identifyingfutureapplications• TechnologyDemonstration• SpaceScienceasasourceofinnovation,educationandtraining

Table 1: Aims within the Vision

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Space is a maturing and growing market sector and it is important that the UK influence, prepare for and embrace, the changes that lie ahead. It is vital that the UK positions itself to contribute to and benefit from future ‘game changing’ technologies, in so far that they can be predicted. To this end this report is intended to guide both the Space IGS, and the implementation of the Space Technology Roadmaps.

The 2010 Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (IGS) required a National Space Technology Strategy and a National Space Technology Programme. In response Industry, Academia and Government have established a strong track record in planning technology delivery. Led by industry, a National Space Technology Strategy was published, together with a set of associated technology roadmaps, in 2011 and updated in 2012. Government launched the National Space Technology Programme with £10 million in funding in 2011 and a further £25 million announced. It is estimated that the first £10 million has already delivered a benefit of between £50m and £75m to the UK economy (Space Innovation and Growth Strategy 2014-2030 – Space for Growth – published by Space IGS).

Introduction

The Space Technology roadmaps helped to shape the initial technology delivery, but lacked detailed prioritisation. However, this work goes on to deliver a prioritised technology plan that identifies cross-cutting technology themes (those relevant to multiple applications) with the potential for large market impact.The strategic work and technology assessments carried out in the preparation of this report have focused on high growth markets with greater emphasis on the identification of cross cutting and ‘game changing’ technology areas. This plan is not confined to a particular level in the supply chain but recognises its inherent connectivity. An assessment of our ability to reach the vision described earlier, has exposed gaps in the UK supply chain, that this plan aims to address. The National Space Technology Strategy cannot be seen in isolation. ESA holds a European space technology master plan which it rolls out though its technology programme and the EU has identified technological priorities for space as part of Horizon 2020. Through, for instance, the Space SIG (becoming a theme within the new look KTN) and the Satellite Applications Catapult the UK will ensure compatibility with these wider initiatives and benefit from their funding opportunities.

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Background

Thanks to smart phones fuelling demand for mobile connectivity, the emergence of an ‘Internet of Things’, a rapidly growing range of data-driven services, the demand for global monitoring of our climate and the near ubiquity of navigation-based products, our day to day relationship with space has changed more in the past five years than in the previous four decades. Add to this the UK’s track record in space technology together with its well-developed industrial sector and we have both the driver and the capability for rapid and sustained growth. We stand at the dawn of a New Space Age and thanks to many years of investment in space science, earth observation and space technology, we are ready to take advantage of this opportunity.

This ‘New Space Age’ must build on the infrastructure that has evolved over the past forty years. That heritage is an undoubted strength: space works, and works well. Yet we must be cautious of traditional models that become a source of inertia, increasing complexity, slowing progress, keeping costs high and stifling innovation. The technological risk aversion of the major space institutions leads to very long programmes but also to peremptory technology development (e.g. through its technology programmes) which often has wider application. Bilateral programmes can lever engagement with 1st world and BRIC countries etc. and also provide a rapid route to space demonstration.

The following paragraphs briefly describe the usage domains identified to be of key importance, and also outlines the existing academic and industrial supply chain. Ground Infrastructure underpins the capabilities in all these areas.

Access to Space

Access to Space is principally about delivering spacecraft into orbit, or launch services, but in the IGS and National Space Strategy context, it also includes the means to accommodate and support payloads, (experiments, sensors etc) in orbit and therefore includes satellite platforms and associated technologies such as transfer propulsion. The UK has a strong track record and capability in this area, with revolutionary technologies such as the SABRE air breathing rocket engine under development and also a world leading capability in developing short lead time, low cost satellite platforms. Whilst there is no current operational capability in terms of conventional (chemical, expendable rocket) launch systems in the UK, the core expertise and knowledge is present, from historical UK launcher projects such as Black Arrow and the newer generation of launch systems pioneers engaged in project such as SKYLON. Timely access to space for small payloads is currently problematic. The need to share launches often leads to delay (such has been the case for TechDemoSat and UKube-1). Affordable

and reliably accessible launch services and systems are critical in underpinning any economically driven Space Programme, and therefore nationally developed solutions are, and must be part of the Technology Strategy Agenda.

Earth Observation

Earth Observation provides valuable data about the Earth’s changing environment and also the validation of measurement techniques which can be used to develop future commercial applications. Earth Observation has spin-offs into other areas of terrestrial application such as security and medicine. Earth Observation is an important tool in many international contexts, from weather forecasting to climate change and disaster monitoring. Commercial Earth Observation sometimes appears to sit a little awkwardly within this context with services being provided by a limited number of operators who are reliant on institutional funding for the majority of their business. However, businesses recognise the value of Earth Observation data – e.g. in the areas of precision farming, geological exploitation, insurance, and shipping. There is a need to provide a range of Earth observation services across differing markets that integrate a mixed asset base that includes a variety of satellite capabilities and orbits. Geostationary satellites can provide near global and continuous coverage, but the data may lack the detail required for many emerging business applications, while low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite data provide the detail but are not continuous. Integrating and enhancing this EO capability e.g. through the creation of constellations in LEO and a European Data Relay Satellite (the program by ESA specifically to meet the demands of data upload from LEO satellites) is a necessary way forward.

Navigation

Satellite navigation has become an integral part of business and consumer life. Within the European context the Galileo programme is becoming established and there is now a need to exploit this capability through applications. Moreover, the next generation Galileo is already under consideration with satellite programmes beginning in 2018 and the UK needs to prepare for this new opportunity through the development of enabling new technologies. Also of note have been the navigation augmentation payloads such as EGNOS and WAAS hosted on commercial telecommunications satellites. The UK has a very strong market share in the commercial development and manufacture of navigation-related technology and is very well placed to develop future mainstream and niche consumer equipment and applications.

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The evolution of the Galileo capability is driven by a number of key factors, such as increased platform & launcher flexibility, robustness, service performance and utilisation.

A strategy for navigation would include;

• developing applications and associated ground technology to allow revenue earning from the largely free navigation signals;

• long term technology development to ensure that the UK will be a major supplier in future systems

Science and Exploration

Science and Exploration programmes address some of the most profound questions (is there life elsewhere in the universe? How were the Sun and Earth formed? …). The UK has an outstanding track record in this area with a breadth of capability in the area of sensing and sensor data processing. UK-built instruments are at the heart of most of the major European missions andmanyofthoseoftheUSA,Japanandelsewhere.These necessarily bespoke and challenging satellite developments provide opportunity for innovation, in-flight demonstration and training that feeds the commercial sector. The science and exploration programmes ‘spin-along’ technology developments with other sectors for mutual benefit. It is essential to maintain participation in a portfolio of space science missions including large, long-timescale, observatory class ESA missions, supplemented by shorter timescale (e.g. bilateral) programmes, which have declined in recent years. Science missions provide an important inspiration factor in the training of the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Telecommunications

There are approximately 1,100 discrete telecommunications satellites in space, mostly in geosynchronous orbit (36,000km from Earth) providing services anywhere. Ubiquitous in broadcast, satellites facilitate multiple applications as well as a host of ‘life support’ services ranging from maritime communications to consumer broadband. The majority of this infrastructure is operated commercially, with time and bandwidth sub-let to third parties such as TV stations. The wider commercial market is becoming increasingly competitive as many nations view satellite telecommunications as critical national capability, while nations such as China and India are recognising telecommunication to be a valuable commercial opportunity. It is therefore critical in the face of this increasing competition, to support and preserve our core strengths in payloads and platforms, and to bring forward new and potentially disruptive technologies such as the all-electric spacecraft.

SAFER Field Trials © SCISYS Ltd

Secure satellite communication are an essential element of all major national defence and security services and represent a significant market opportunity. The four Skynet 5 satellites, developed in the UK, provide secure communications within the UK defence sector and earn valuable revenue from sale of excess capacity to friendly nations. Work has now begun on defining the requirements and technologies for their successors.

The UK Space Sector Supply Chain

The differentiating characteristic of the current space supply chain is that one or more high-value assets are launched into space, at very great cost, maintained there for a certain period, then discarded. Thus leverage of the supply chain’s efforts is a focus of the many supply chain stakeholders – Government, Academia and Industry.

The academic sector (e.g. University space groups interested in Earth observation, space science and space engineering) has been engaged with space since the early 1950’s and much of our understanding of its particular challenges comes as a result of this early investment. University and other research groups

develop enabling technologies for future missions and roll out this capability through knowledge exchange, teaching and training programmes as well as specialist services. The academic space sector continues to score well above its weight in all international science output assessments and inspires individuals into STEM careers. Space research provides a natural vehicle for technological innovation, international collaboration and associated commercial leverage and also spins out into many other sectors e.g. biomedical, aerospace and energy. Sustaining this aspect of Space alongside industry is hence essential for medium to long term growth.

The space sector supply chain comprises technology creators (often within academia), component and equipment suppliers, prime contractors, launcher providers, satellite operators, ground segment providers including data processors and service providers. In all areas except launch services, the UK is already well established (see e.g ‘The Size and Health of the UK Space Industry, published by the UK Space Agency, 2010). The case is made below that the UK should increase its footprint in launcher technologies, – see Access to Space.

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Autonomous navigation © SCISYS

Examples of current UK Strengths

There are very many examples of UK excellence in the space sector at every level of the supply chain.Given below are just a few.

The UK national programme NovaSAR-S is an innovative, low cost approach to all weather synthetic aperture radar imaging. Based on an existing SSTL-300 platform the satellite is designed to operate either independently or part of a small constellation. Its principle applications will include disaster monitoring, ship detection, crop management and ice detection.

The Eurostar 3000 telecommunications bus was developed with significant UK support through the ESA ARTES programme and has gone on to form the basis of more than 40 spacecraft development contracts worth more than 650 million pounds to the UK, including the UK Skynet 5 and Inmarsat 4 series.

The Gaia spacecraft, launched in 2013 will study the dynamics of our galaxy using the largest focal plane ever flown in space. 106 e2v charge couple devices make up this 0.5 m2 structure and deliver almost a 1 Giga-pixel array.

Contributions to the ESA ExoMars programme have enabled UK industry to develop a lead in space robotics and in particular vision based navigation in harsh environments. A series of successful trials in the Atacama desert have demonstrated how robust the technology now is and is allowing its deployment in other sectors such as mining, utilities and defence.

The UK leads the world in the development of future air-breathing rocket engines and space planes. With £60m of UK government support and matching private funding the Reaction Engines teams has begun its next phase of engine and light weight heat exchanger development.

Terrafix is a mobile computing and navigation system for the emergency and security services that uses GNSS signals. The picture shows a typical Emergency Ambulance; in all some 10,000 operational ambulances are supported, and a single trust (out of14) attends 2000-3000 incidents per day of 7 minutes average duration. The system is high pressure, life critical, 365/24/7 and has enabled improvements in individual incident response times despite reduction in the number of assets.

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© SCISYS

Figure 3 : Linking Markets to Technologies

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Technology Themes

The work of the National Space Technology Steering Group and the Space National Technical Committees sought to bring together the insights so that prioritisation and cross cutting technology themes could be identified. The insights included:

• Market research through the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (2014 – 2030);

• The Technology Roadmaps which detailed a range of technologies across technology readiness levels;

• The space sector supply chain.

A review and mapping of these three “data sets” provided insights into a series of cross-cutting themes and specific technologies that, if focused on, will produce capabilities that will allow the markets identified in the IGS to be addressed, therefore enabling space infrastructure solutions to be deployed. This will enable the required revenue generating services, and hence the economic growth required, to be delivered.

The translation of the market requirements into required capabilities, technology themes and specific technologies, all under the banner of the overall vision for the strategy is broadly illustrated in the figure below. This also shows the role of the Technology Roadmaps Referring back to the vision for the Technology Strategy, the majority of the markets identified in the IGS can be delivered through the establishing of a number of constellations of on orbit assets (i.e. satellites), all of which can work together in a coherent and transparent manner, from the user’s viewpoint. This ‘neural’ network could then make the full range of satellite services achievable and accessible utilizing continental broadcast to low latency single hop communications including enabling 24-hour data relay for Earth observing satellite constellations .This would provide the benefits of near-real time data for personal and national use.

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LISA Pathfinder

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Linking to the Existing Five Space Technology Domains

The following 5 domains and associated National Technology Committees relate to the usage domains mentioned earlier:

• Access to Space• Position, Navigation and Timing • Robotics and Exploration• Sensing• Telecommunications

The National Space Technology Roadmaps are contained within these five domains, and these roadmaps identify which broad and specific technologies are required in order to enable market linked capabilities to be realised. Whilst some capabilities are clearly satisfied by technologies contained within a single domain, others require contributions from multiple domains, and therefore a robust mapping of the markets across to the roadmaps as a whole is clearly required.

The following Technology Themes are identified as key to realisation and delivery of the services required by the priority markets. These themes can be applied in a variety of combinations in order to provide the capabilities required to deliver the services

• Sensors: Optical, Radar, Thermal• Communication & Navigation Payloads: (Inter-

satellite and Space-Ground)• Next Generation, Autonomous and Intelligent

Satellite Platforms: (For use in multiple and varying orbits)

• Satellite Delivery Systems, i.e. Launch Vehicles & Systems

• On Orbit Maintenance, Servicing, Disposal• Ground Segment Infrastructure (including data

processing/mining) and User Terminals• Data Security• Future Applications

The table below identifies the technologies, by domain, that are key to enabling the capabilities demanded by the markets. All of these technologies are captured in the current roadmaps, identified by the NTCs, and therefore serve to inform the entire UK space industry on which technologies are required to facilitate the delivery of the IGS as a whole. In the main, these build on existing technologies and capabilities.

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Cyclone Nargis

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Nature & Magnitude of Development Programmes Required

Whilst the following tables indicate which technologies are required to enable the market associated services and capabilities, they clearly do not give an indication of the maturity of the technologies, nor the likely magnitude of the development programmes (in terms of investment and time) required to realise them. Some of the technologies and capabilities (such as next

Technology Domain Specific Technology Technology Theme (Primary) Market Relevance

Access to Space

Low cost chemical propulsion for high thrust (small launch vehicle) systems

Launch Vehicles & SystemsAll (Underpinning Theme)

Low cost chemical propulsion for lower thrust (orbit transfer) systems.

Satellite Platforms All (Underpinning Theme)

Improved electric propulsion for orbital transfer and station keeping

Satellite Platforms All (Underpinning Theme)

Systems engineering tools for launch systems

Launch Vehicles & Systems All (Underpinning Theme)

Avionics for launch vehicles Launch Vehicles & Systems All (Underpinning Theme)

Lightweight and low cost thermostructural materials with potential both for game changing reusable launch vehicles, and ultra low cost expendable vehicles

Launch Vehicles & Systems, Satellite Platforms

All (Underpinning Theme)

Spacecraft platform designs that enable miniaturisation and significant cost savings

Satellite Platforms All (Underpinning Theme)

Positioning, Navigation & Timing

Payload (Galileo and EGNOS) future development,

Communication & Navigation PayloadsSecurity & Safety, Public Sector Services

Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS), encryption;

Data SecuritySecurity & Safety, Public Sector Services

GNSS robustness and Interference detection and mitigation;

Data SecuritySecurity & Safety, Public Sector Services

Advanced and innovative receiver development and commercialisation;

Ground Segment Infrastructure and User Terminals

Public Sector Services, Security & Safety

Next generation EGNOS (V3) design, implementation and services plus associated Galileo Mission activities;

Communication & Navigation PayloadsPublic Sector Services, Security & Safety

Robotics & Exploration

Autonomous/Intelligent Vehicles On Orbit Maintenance, Servicing, Disposal

Security & Safety

Robotic ManipulatorsOn Orbit Maintenance, Servicing, Disposal

Security & Safety

Penetrators and Landers Game Changing Services

Robotic Support of Manned Exploration

Game Changing Services

generation control systems and mobile terminals) require relatively low levels of investment and time, whilst others (such as launcher developments) would require orders of magnitude more in funding and many years to be realised – these would also constitute major development projects which would require review, approval and funding mechanisms over and above those within the perimeter of the UK’s government space bodies.

Table 2: Technology Development links to Markets

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Sensing

Technologies for low cost radar systems, including NovaSAR

Sensors

Maritime surveillance, Disaster management , Persistent Surveillance, Climate & Environment Services, Security & Safety

Imaging systems with infra-red (IR) capability -shortwave, medium wave Sensors and thermal IR

SensorsClimate & Environment Services, Security & Safety, Smart cities , Maritime surveillance

Low cost imaging spectrometers for atmospheric greenhouse gas monitoring

SensorsClimate & Environment Services, Security & Safety, carbon monitoring

Detectors (IR and visible) for EO, defence and surveillance

SensorsPersistent Surveillance, Climate & Environment Services, Security & Safety, Smart cities, carbon monitoring

High performance computing, data mining and image processing

Satellite PlatformsClimate & Environment, Services, Smart cities, Disaster monitoring, Security & Safety

Telecommunications

Next generation communications satellite platforms.

Satellite PlatformsPublic Sector Services, Security & Safety, E-Connectivity,

High throughput payloads for broadband, broadcast and fixed services

Communication & Navigation PayloadsPublic Sector Services, Security & Safety, E-Connectivity,

Transparent and regenerative digital processors

Satellite Platforms, Communication & Navigation Payloads

Public Sector Services, Security & Safety, E-Connectivity

Analogue flexible payload equipment Communication & Navigation PayloadsPublic Sector Services, Security & Safety, E-Connectivity

Advanced antenna solutions for broadband applications

Communication & Navigation Payloads, Ground Segment Infrastructure and User Terminals

Public Sector Services, Security & Safety, E-Connectivity

Low cost terminals for business and consumer applications.

Ground Segment Infrastructure and User Terminals

Public Sector Services, Security & Safety, E-Connectivity

Table 2: Technology Development links to Markets

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Technology Domains

Specific Technology Area

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Low

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Sus

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Sec

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Saf

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res

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Forw

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Lo

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Access to Space Low cost chemical propulsion for high thrust (small launch vehicle) ✓ ✓ ✓

Lower thrust (orbit transfer) systems. ✓ ✓

Improved electric propulsion for orbital transfer and station keeping ✓ ✓

Systems engineering tools for launch systems ✓ ✓ ✓

Avionics for launch vehicles which build on UK strengths in low cost space craft avionics

✓ ✓

Lightweight and low cost thermostructural materials with potential both for game changing reusable launch vehicles, and ultra low cost expendable vehicles

✓ ✓ ✓

Spacecraft platform designs that enable miniaturisation and significant cost savings

✓ ✓ ✓

Positioning, Navigation & Timing

Payload (Galileo and EGNOS) future development, ✓ ✓ ✓

Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS), encryption; ✓

GNSS robustness and Interference detection and mitigation; ✓ ✓

Advanced and innovative receiver development and commercialisation;

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Next generation EGNOS (V3) design, implementation and services plus associated Galileo Mission activities;

✓ ✓

Robotics & Exploration

Autonomous/Intelligent Vehicles ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Robotic Manipulators ✓ ✓

Penetrators and Landers ✓

Robotic Support of Manned Exploration ✓

Sensing Technologies for low cost radar systems, including NovaSAR ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Imaging systems with infra-red (IR) capability -shortwave, medium wave and thermal IR

✓ ✓

Low cost imaging spectrometers for atmospheric greenhouse gas monitoring

✓ ✓ ✓

Detectors (IR and visible) for EO, defence and surveillance ✓ ✓ ✓

High performance computing, data mining and image processing ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Telecommunications Next generation communications satellite platforms. ✓

High throughput payloads for broadband, broadcast and fixed services ✓

Transparent and regenerative digital processors ✓ ✓

Analogue flexible payload equipment ✓ ✓

Advanced antenna solutions for broadband applications ✓

Low cost terminals for business and consumer applications. ✓ ✓

Table 3: Links between specific technologies and Aims

The following table describes how the specific technologies link to the aims. The majority of technologies support multiple aims from the strategy.

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Delivery

• managing transition of technologies from non-commercial to commercial markets, with relatively long return-on-investment times;

• encouraging new enabling technologies and training through science/institutional investment;

• supporting SMEs as a catalyst for innovation.

It is apparent that there needs to be a continued and deepening partnership between Government and Industry. Each stakeholder has an important role to play and responsibilities to bear alongside the UK Space Agency and industry will sit key actors such as the Technology Strategy Board, KTNs, the Satellite Applications Catapult as well as European bodies such as ESA and the EU.

Measurement of successful implementation should be established by the UK Space Agency in the context of the IGS targets, across the short, medium and long terms. Key metrics should be directly linked to the realisation of the aims highlighted in the Smart Space vision.

Realistically, everything on the roadmaps is unlikely to be afforded at the same time – either from the public or private purses. Therefore, a phase approach will offer a practical model, leading to decisions on prioritisation. The figure below shows an approach to a phased implementation, which recognises the situation today and logical steps to be taken. The intermediate steps provide measurable way-points for monitoring success.

The work to date has enabled the National Space Technology Steering Group to provide a timeline of technology needs with linkages to markets, including when interventions would best be provided. The work has identified priority technology themes including specific technologies which could shape a national technology programme, stimulate innovation and interest in collaborative research and development, and benefit from rapid in-orbit demonstration.

Further, these roadmaps have been generated by a wide range of experts, knowledgeable about European capabilities. They achieve a balance between the ESA technology harmonisation process, associated European roadmaps and commercial & strategic UK needs. In this way, UK investment is targeted to maximum effect, leveraging impact through alignment with European capabilities.

In order to be successful, the right business environment must be created, the right delivery mechanisms need to be available and the right investment decisions should be made at the appropriate time. An increasingly sophisticated approach to technology funding is needed, taking full account of parameters such as market size and maturity as well as return-on-investment timescales. Government intervention needs to take account of market and/or technology maturity, with the aims of:

• encouraging a commercially viable environment for private investment;

• enabling self-standing, robust commercial markets that do not require ongoing government investment in order to make them viable;

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Robotics and Exploration

Exploration and Robotics includes all types of robotics for the exploration of a planet surface as well as robotics used in orbit around the earth and the sensors needed by the platform for navigation or control.Exploration and Robotics is an area of the space industry that is driven heavily by technology and which faces huge challenges to achieve the mission science goals. It is mainly concerned with upstream activities with very little direct downstream benefits to the space industry. It does however have excellent potential for spin along activities allowing the spinning in of terrestrial technologies from other sectors as well as then spinning out the resulting technology advances. The very nature of exploration of other planets requires cutting edge solutions to successfully deploy robotics in remote and hazardous locations and then operate them without ever having the option of human assistance to perform repairs or recover from accidents.

From this market a strategy has been developed that builds on the existing excellence in certain niche technologies through to deployed space and terrestrial systems that will generate growth.

R&E Vision – Short term (<5 Years)In order to increase the number of deployed systems it is necessary to have valuable core technologies but also the ability to demonstrate their maturity and validate the systems as well as a supply chain to deliver them. In the short term the vision is to ensure the UK can continue to develop niche technologies of excellence in the areas of:

• Autonomous/Intelligent Vehicles – Technologies include autonomous mission management, navigation, science autonomy, robotic control, localisation without GPS, data fusion and multi-agent autonomy.

• Robotic Manipulators – Includes teleoperation, sampling devices, sample transfer and manipulation, increased dexterity, rendezvous and docking.

• Penetrators – Includes modelling of de-orbit, entry and descent, flight control of high velocity objects, sensors, novel power/heating, highly rugged electronics.

• Robotic Support of Manned Exploration - human factors, multi-agent collaboration, in-situ resource utilisation.

The current roadmap identifies opportunities for specific space missions planned by ESA, other multi-national programmes with UK contributions and some commercial opportunities such as de-orbiting obsolete satellites. This sector also has very significant opportunities within terrestrial applications as the space environment imposes requirements that can drive solutions for less challenging earth-bound applications.

The roadmap has identified several areas where space technology would be applicable to spin out. These include Autonomous Vehicles (air, ground, underwater) to explore remote/dangerous locations e.g. underwater, oil & gas industries, nuclear, transport and to support the aging community. Robotic Manipulators and Locomotion Technologies (e.g. civil dirigible programmes, robotic access to difficult locations and automated sample handling). Novel Power Systems - for use in very low power environments e.g. low term monitoring underground or high power needs such as satellites with very high power requirements and long endurance terrestrial vehicles.

R&E Vision - Medium Term (5 – 10years)In order to ensure these technologies have a route to adoption and growth it is essential to be able to raise and then demonstrate high levels of TRL and then demonstrate that deployable systems can be validated. It is then necessary to have a capable and integrated supply chain to exploit them. To achieve this, the following will be in place and fully operational in the UK:

• A Facility and Centre of Excellence for validation of Autonomous systems and associated technologies, to address both space and linked non-space opportunities

• A thriving Cross Sectorial collaboration to enable spin in and out of technologies between space and related sectors

• A regular set of Field Trials and demonstrations held in appropriate challenging locations that help build confidence and show the applicability of systems.

• European Centre of Excellence in developing technologies for Autonomous and Intelligent Systems.

R&E Vision Longer term (>10 years)The technologies for these systems are becoming pervasive in terrestrial applications, which can be characterised as dirty, dull and dangerous. The facilities from the medium term vision are enabling technologies to be adopted and by building on those future space missions such as Mars Sample Return are becoming more capable and cost efficient. The next generation of niche technologies include:

• Collaborative, and SWARM robotics - allow Exploration Missions to be much more capable and collaborative either between several robots or astronauts and robots.

• In-Situ Resource Utilisation mining of resources for use in exploration of Mars, Moon etc

• Novel Locomotion Technologies – Includes aerobots, beneath liquid propulsion, climbing robots underground robots (cavebots)..

• Novel Power Systems - nuclear power/heating sources, autonomous mission management, very low power systems, energy scavenging.

8

R&E Supply ChainThe supply chain for Robotics and Exploration is shared with many other sectors in the UK, in particular Defence and Aerospace which have very similar market drivers. The UK supply chain in this sector is highly regarded and seen as a UK strength in recent Government assessments of the Eight Great Technologies. It ranges from large scale integrators delivering space missions such as ExoMars and complex unmanned aerial systems, through tier 2 suppliers of platforms, sensors and software systems to services. Unlike most space technologies there is significant cross sector interest in these technologies because of their relevance, an example being the Autonomous Intelligent Systems Partnership (AISP) which includes sectors such as transport, energy, defence and space working together to promote, develop and deploy such systems. It is however necessary to develop a much more coherent and integrated UK supply chain to ensure growth.This area is also a focus for ESA and UKSA at ECSAT in Harwell which is working towards a facility (HRAF) which aims to address the validation concerns that must be overcome to enable routine deployment of such systems and exploit the UK’s technology strengths in the field.

ExoMars Rover - © ESA

Appendices - Space National Technical Committee Updates

19

Access to Space

Access to Space is principally about delivering spacecraft into orbit, or launch services. If the UK cannot guarantee regular, affordable and responsive access to any Earth orbit, then our space technologies and downstream applications either become irrelevant or entirely dependant on foreign partners or suppliers. In this regard, access to space is unique in that it underpins all other space markets: telecomms, robotics & exploration, positioning navigation & timing and sensing.

A supposedly free market exists for launch services, which to date has provided the UK’s space industry adequate access to space. Access to space is in reality highly political: launch service availability and pricing, hence all space activity is controlled by the few nations that possess it. A further market feature is that large, traditional spacecraft, ranging from commercial telecomsats to ESA science missions benefit from oversupply of launch services: Growth based on such ‘business as usual’ infrastructure will not meet UK targets, unless a step change in access to space occurs. If the UK wishes to grow its space activities, it needs independent control of its access to space. Air breathing rocket engines and reusable single stage to orbit spaceplanes such as Skylon could change the ‘business as usual’ scenario, but this approach carries many technical and market risks, may take more than a decade to realise and does not match the UK’s core competency in small satellites.

If there is one technology

which symbolises the revival of a strong

British space sector it is Launchers. Britain should be at the forefront of the next generation of launch

and propulsion technologies.

The value of small satellite technologies, low cost space missions and their applications, from Earth observation to navigation are clear, and represent one of the highest growth sectors in the space market. The UK should continue to lead through development of next generation small satellites, building on existing strong brands (2011 National Space Technology Strategy). What is missing is a short to medium term, low cost and with clearly defined risk, development of a UK based small satellite launch service (UK Launch Space CITI study, 2013) The small satellite success of the UK, stimulated by BNSC’s MOSAIC programme in 2000, was only possible because of low cost launchers available from Russia. These launchers either no longer exist or are only available in an irregular fashion that cannot support the long term growth potential from small satellites. A UK small launcher, a 21st century rebuild of Black Arrow but to a commercial business plan with government infrastructure and development support, will meet UK industry needs, can be developed from a UK supply chain, and will not compete with current or planned European launch infrastructure. This needs to be UK led due to the risks of international partnership for a strategic, sovereign capability. UK access to space in the short and long term, the industry ‘ask’ and roadmap will require:

• Low cost chemical propulsion for high thrust (small launch vehicle) and lower thrust (orbit transfer) systems. High thrust chemical propulsion test facilities. Improved electric propulsion for orbital transfer and station keeping. Systems engineering tools for launch systems.

• Avionics for launch vehicles which build on UK strengths in low cost spacecraft avionics

• Lightweight and low cost thermostructural materials with potential both for game changing reusable launch vehicles, and ultra low cost expendable vehicles.

• Spacecraft platform designs that enable miniaturisation and significant cost savings. Coupled with this, regular flight of demonstration platforms to test new technologies in space.

• Facilities and systems that can simulate the space environment in particular low gravity: sounding rockets, drop towers & parabolic flights.

Some of the above roadmap items , for example high thrust chemical propulsion test facilities, thermostructural materials and sounding rockets also facilitate the SABRE advanced propulsion programme and Skylon reusable launcher, where a large investment is already taking place outside of the NSTS.

High thrust chemical propulsion (Airborne Engineering)

Vertical launch of sounding rocket (Newton Launch Systems)

20

Position Navigation and Timing

Position, Navigation and Timing technology has become embedded in many applications impacting societal challenges such as location aware services, transport, timing and synchronisation and security and safety, and this will continue. Involvement in the Galileo and EGNOS programmes as well as R&D through both the European GNSS Evolution Programme (EGEP) and Integrated Applications Promotion (IAP) ensures UK industry can capitalise on the emergent commercial sector. These European-funded programmes will provide UK industry with the ability to maintain momentum and international competitiveness ahead of the EU’s proposed 7bn investment in the Galileo and EGNOS programmes from 2014-2020.

The PNT NTC has ensured that this long term provides a framework for scientific, technological and commercial GNSS research within UK that is well aligned and fully responsive to the European situation. The PNT NTC, made up of market leaders in delivery and generation of PNT capabilities, has evolved in the last 12 months, with a focus on the whole PNT end-to-end value chain.

The PNT roadmap refresh highlights the technology focus areas in which the UK should invest, within the context of the relevant programmes and market timescales. A summary of where UK industry could target early capitalisation for growth includes;

• Payload (Galileo and EGNOS) leadership retention and future development, including potential for a further experimental Galileo spacecraft to test new technologies;

• Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) and security related evolutions in GNSS infrastructure and downstream services including in encryption;

• GNSS robustness and Interference detection and mitigation;

• Next generation EGNOS (V3) design, implementation and services plus associated Galileo Mission activities; advanced and innovative receiver development and commercialisation;

• Potential hosting of future EGNOS payloads by UK satellite operators;

• Retention of the UK’s academic leadership in European GNSS technologies and the scientific advancement led by the UK’s five key GNSS expert university groups.

The next 24 months will also see the concept definition of the next generation of Galileo and UK industry involvement in the ESA Evolution programme is critical to influence design and secure future procurement work. The refresh exercise has re-established the importance of two key market areas for the PNT sector in the UK:

1. Security/resilience applications and services in the downstream2. Payload integration capability in the upstream, in addition to

explicitly adding PRS as a standalone theme within the roadmap.

The more widely accessible and profitable growth area is in the development of applications and services that use these technologies. A step change, within three years, will be the evolution from GPS based location to multi-constellation GNSS, and integration with other positioning capabilities to extend robust, secure and seamless PNT into challenging applications and environments.

With respect to the infrastructure market as Galileo is deployed and refreshed and EGNOS is updated the current prime positioning of UK companies becomes increasingly important. Capitalising on this strong UK position, for example in GNSS resilience related opportunities through the provision of the PRS, requires a clear national roadmap to inform all required support actions allied with a strong collaboration with the Satellite Applications Catapult Centre.

21

Satellite Telecommunications

Definition of Areas CoveredThe telecommunications market covers both the upstream manufacturing and downstream applications / services aspects of the satellite telecommunications sector.

Telecommunications dominates the UK Space industry in terms of earnings, exports and employment for both upstream manufacturing and downstream services and applications.

UK industrial strengths are highlighted for the required telecommunications satellite systems across the full value chain:

• Service level (for satellite operations and service provision)

• System level (for Turn-Key Satellite Systems)

• Subsystem level (e.g. Spacecraft Platforms, Payloads and Antennas)

• Equipment level (e.g. Avionics, High Power Amplifiers, Terminals)

• Specialist parts and services (e.g. satellite operations and software)

• Applications development (for instance maritime communications)

The telecoms steering group has comprised representatives from all these sectors of the industry. Key UK capabilities and organisations have been identified with an emphasis on securing a long-term and high value of return on investment.

Summary of Technologies Required over the next 3 to 5 YearsTechnology development themes have been identified which will maintain and improve the competitiveness of the UK satellite telecommunications industry. These are:

• Increased telecommunications satellite capacity and flexibility

• Reducing cost to manufacturer, operator and user

• Enabling new innovative services and market opportunities

Specific Technologies identified include:Next generation communications satellite platforms. High throughput payloads for broadband, broadcast and fixed services. Transparent and regenerative digital processors. Analogue flexible payload equipment, Advanced antenna solutions for broadband applications. Low cost terminals for business and consumer applications.Summary of how telecoms connects to marketsOver 95% of the world commercial (non-government and institutional) upstream satellite manufacturing market by value is dedicated to telecommunication satellites. Over 90% of the UK downstream space market is dedicated to telecoms and satellite broadcasting.UK built commercial telecommunications satellites have in recent years secured 25% of the global market, the vast majority for export customers in Europe, the United States and the Far East. The UK investment in telecommunications satellite capabilities has lead to the creation of world leading operators including Paradigm, Avanti and Inmarsat (a FTSE 100 company). Several hundred UK SME’s benefit directly from satellite telecommunications programs.

22

Space Sensing Technologies

The sensing roadmap identifies the space and ground systems technologies for the detection, collection and exploitation of data for commercial, operational and scientific applications. The scope is broad, including optics, detectors, instruments and supporting systems for satellites and planetary landers, and also the ground technologies to handle and process the data. Many high growth commercial markets - both national and export - which require sensing technologies are identified in the 2014 Space IGS. These include maritime surveillance, persistent surveillance, climate applications and carbon monitoring.

The sensing roadmap has been developed by the Space Sensing National Technical Committee, with a broad representation across industry and academia. This roadmap captures in detail the main areas of investment required in sensing technologies over the coming 5 years to capture these markets.

Successes in sensing technology development Recent investment by the UK Government and industry is leading to the development of an innovative low-cost radar system. NovaSAR-S delivers all weather medium resolution Earth observation data night and day at a price similar to traditional optical missions, and significantly lower than any other SAR platform currently on the market, by leveraging highly efficient S-band solid state technology.

UK industry has been awarded a contract worth more than 100M Euro to build one of the main instruments, the Microwave Sounder on the Eumetsat MetOp Second Generation mission, which will make global measurements of atmospheric temperature and pressure.During 2013, UK industry won a contract to provide a compact science and technology demonstration satellite for Kazakhstan with a multispectral imaging instrument. This continues the series of successful exports to developing countries of small satellites to provide state-of-the art digital imagers for a range of remote sensing applications

Sensing technologies for the high growth marketsA significant export market is foreseen for sensing systems over the next 5 years for low-cost SAR radar and imaging satellites for Earth observation, surveillance and defence. Supply of space-based systems for homeland security to UK and other Governments provides an important market opportunity. The most significant market areas which will be enabled by development of innovative sensing technologies are:

• Maritime surveillance, monitoring of oil spills, icebergs and deforestation, land use categorisation, disaster management

• Services for greenhouse gas and environmental monitoring, including deforestation:

The concept for the NovaSAR low-cost imaging radar mission

• Traffic management and air quality monitoring

• The direct sales of high performance space instruments to European and other international agencies, including for operational systems, which require repeat build of instruments.

• The spin out of technologies into non-space areas, including terrestrial and airborne environmental monitoring and health applications provides further market growth potential.

The provision of downstream EO applications is identified as an area of strong market growth. Developing the technologies that enable these applications will be a vital step in ensuring UK-based industries are positioned to take advantage of this growth.

Technologies required over the next 5 yearsInvestment in innovative technology developments will be required to secure a leading market position in the growth markets:

• Imaging systems with infra-red (IR) capability - shortwave, medium wave and thermal IR

• Low cost imaging spectrometers for atmospheric greenhouse gas monitoring

• Detectors (IR and visible) for EO, defence and surveillance and low cost radar to provide day and night all weather data streams

• Laser based systems such as LIDAR for sensing or imaging applications. The technologies may also be applicable for the communication of the high data volumes from space sensors

• Expanded range and capability of sensor technologies deployable on small and micro-satellites for Earth observation, including precision agriculture

• High performance computing, data mining and image processing to improve capability for downstream applications

• Continued investment into ESA science, EO and exploration programmes to provide long term innovation in new technologies.

The new technologies and techniques developed for science programmes will develop the capability and provide technologies for future applications in the commercial sector. The investment will ensure that the UK retains front-runner status in sensing technologies and in international programmes.

Additional societal benefit will arise from development of EO applications for climate change and environment monitoring and the new sensing systems to meet demanding requirements of space science and planetary exploration. The growth in UK technological capability will enable commercial sensing developments, with consequent increases in export sales, job retention and creation.

23

The Alphasat communications payload and engineering team in Portsmouth

About the Space Special Interest Group

The Technology Strategy Board created the Space Special Interest Group (SIG) to connect pan-Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) activities, acting as a mechanism to foster a space community that spans Government, Industry and Academia. The Space SIG is the custodian of the National Space Technology Strategy and its underpinning technology roadmaps.

The Space SIG was hosted by the Aerospace, Aviation and Defence Knowledge Transfer Network, it is now part of the Knowledge Transfer Network.

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